Roller printer

ABSTRACT

A roller printer for applying paint, and the like, to walls and similar surfaces has a frame rotatably mounting a paint carrying roller. The frame receives a paint reservoir provided with a slot in a bottom portion of the reservoir, and a shutter associated with the slot and cooperating with the reservoir to supply paint to the carrying roller. A pair of rotatable printing rollers are pivotally mounted on the frame for selectively engaging the carrying rollers and transferring paint to a surface being painted. Each printing roller may have a distinct design for transferring a corresponding pattern to the surface to which paint is applied.

United States Patent 1191 Bielesch et a1.

1451 Sept. 16, 1975 1 ROLLER PRINTER 22 Filed: Mar. 14,1974

211 App]. No.: 451,279

[52] US. Cl. 101/331; 101/364; 401/220 [51] Int. Cl? B05C 17/02; B41F 31/02 [58] Field of Search 101/328, 329-331, 101/363, 364, 366; 401/208, 218, 219, 220

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 301,310 7/1884 Weiss 101/330 469,668 2/1892 Bennett 101/330 697,089 4/1902 Jensen 101/331 741,147 10/1903 Burt et 401/220 X 1,830,145 11/1931 Vieck 101/330 X 2,528,657 11/1950 Hobe 401/219 X 2,694,874 11/1954 Coolidge et al.. 101/328 2,780,166 2/1957 Wright 101/329 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 476,613 8/1951 Canada ..401/218 356,395 6/1920 Germany ..401/220 Primary Examiner-J. Reed Fisher Attorney, Agent, or Firm-I-Iarvey B. Jacobson [5 7] ABSTRACT A roller printer for applying paint, and the like, to walls and similar surfaces has a frame rotatably mounting a paint carrying roller, The frame receives a paint reservoir provided with a slot in a bottom portion of the reservoir, and a shutter associated with the slot and cooperating with the reservoir to supply paint to the carrying roller. A pair of rotatable printing rollers are pivotally mounted on the frame for selectively engaging the carrying rollers and transferring paint to a surface being painted. Each printing roller may have a distinct design for transferring a corresponding pattern to the surface to which paint is applied.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures ROLLER PRINTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a roller device for applying paint to a wall, and the like, and particularly to a roller printer for applying a design to a wall as same is being painted.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is well known to apply a design to painted walls by means of a roller which is embossed with the desired design. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 2,833,073, issued May 6, 1958 to A. E. Doggett, discloses a paint applicator having a pair of rolls; one roll arranged for applying paint to the wall and the other roll arranged for simultaneously applying a pattern to the wall. This known paint applicator employs a pair of carrying rollers to transfer paint from an associated reservoir to a respective one of the painting rollers.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,402, issued Sept. 15, 1964 to J. Garabon, discloses a paint applicator in which a carrying roller is partially arranged in a paint reservoir for transferring paint from the reservoir to a painting roller. In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 2,589,407, issued Mar. 18, 1952 to .I. 0. Lee, discloses a paint applicator in which a pair of slidably movable painting rollers are selectively movable into paint receiving contact with a carrier roller arranged in an associated reservoir.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved roller printer capable of making plain one color walls livelier by transferring to the walls all kinds of decors to give a wallpaper effect at a lower cost than wallpaper and providing in a simple and easily applied manner richer and nicer appearing rooms.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a roller printer having a plurality of rollers arranged in a single frame so that different patterns may be sequentially applied to the same or different surfaces without the necessity of changing rolls on the printer.

It is still another object of the present inventionfto provide a roller printer having a paint supply arrangement affording improved control of the amount of paint transferred from a supply reservoir.

These and other objects are achieved according. to the present invention by providing a roller printer having: a frame; a carrier roller rotatably mounted on the frame; a printing roller rotatably mounted on the frame and arranged for engaging the carrying roller; and a paint supply including a paint reservoir connected to the frame for providing a fluid to. the carrying roller. Advantageously, the paint reservoir has a bottom portion provided with a slot, anda shutter is arranged adjacent the slot for controlling passage of paint from the reservoir to the carrying roller.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are a pair of printing rollers rotatably mounted on respective ends of spaced arms of a crank pivotally mounted on the frame, This pair of printing rollers is advantageously arranged for selectively env legs of the bracket and is arranged in the slot provided in the bottom portion of the reservoir for controlling flow through same. The roll is movable into and out of the slot by adjustment of the back portion with respect to the reservoir.

w As can be appreciated, the shutter will provide a precisely controllable flow of paint from the reservoir to the carrying roller and subsequently to a selected one of the printing'rollers. Further, the presence of at least twoprinting rollers mounted on the same frame permits quick and easy change of design without the necessity ofremoving one roller from the frame and installing another,

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

' BRIEF DESCIRIRTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing a roller printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. '1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a roller printer lo'according to the present invention has frame 12 on which a carrying roller 14 is rotatably mounted. A pair of printing rollers 16 and 17 are rotatably mounted on frame 12 in a manner to be described below. Each of rollers 16 and 17 is arranged for selectively engaging roller '14 and receiving a supply of paint, and the like, therefrom. As can be readily seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, roller 17 has a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of roller 16. Althoughit is'to be understood that the diameter of the rollers is a matter of choice, a larger roller such as 16 lends itself to printing patterns affording a rich decor, while roller of smaller diameter such as roller 17 is well suitcd for printing simple designs such as stripes,

circles, and the like. In particular, the design provided on roller 17 maybe such as to complement the basic pattern providedon roller 16.

Frame 12 includes a pair of spaced, substantially parallel end walls 18 and 20. Each end wall 18, 20 is provided on a surface thereof arranged facing the other of the end walls 20, 1 8 with a substantially U-shaped projection 22, 24 opening toward the upwardly oriented portions of walls 18, 20 and forming a groove. Carrying roller 14 is mounted on a shaft having ends 26 and 28 supported in the grooves formed by projections 22 and 24 and movable in these grooves. In this manner, carrying roller 14 may be easily mounted on and removed from frame 12.

Cranks, or rockers, 30 and 32 are pivotally mounted on frame 12 in manner to be described below. These cranks 30, 32 rotatably mount printing rollers l6, 17 at the outer ends of each of the lever arms cooperating in pairs to form cranks 30, 32. A preferred manner of attaching rollers l6, 17 to the lever arms of cranks 30, 32 will also be described below.

A shield 34 is advantageously attached to end walls 18, 20 and arranged extending between these end walls for catching any paint, and the like, that may fall from carrying roller 14. A pair of guide rollers 36 and 38 are shown as mounted on shield 34 adjacent extreme ends thereof so as to be associated with respective ones of the printing rollers 16, 17. As can be readily seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, each of the rollers 36, 38 includes a roller 40 rotatably mounted on a suitable U-shaped bracket 42 having a web portion connected to shield 34 in a conventional manner, such as by riveting. In this manner, rollers 36, 38 are arranged for guiding and stabilizing their associated printing rollers l6, 17.

A handle 44 is advantageously attached to frame 12 for facilitating manipulation of roller printer 10. This handle 44 includes a holding fork 46 pivotally mounted on frame end walls 18, 20 in a conventional manner. Abutments 48 and 50 are advantageously provided on each end wall 18, 20 for limiting movement of holding fork 46 and preventing same from interfering with printing rollers 16, 17.

Carrying roller 14 supplies paint P, and the like, from a reservoir 52 mounted on frame 12 as by pins 54 and 56 extending from end portions of reservoir 52 arranged adjacent end walls 18, 20 of frame 12 and being cooperatively received in U-shaped notches 58 and 60 provided in the upper portionsof end walls 18, 20. Claims 30, 32 are advantageously pivotally mounted at the fulcrum thereof on the same pins 54 and 56. Any suitable, known elements, such as machine screws, may be employed to function as pins 54 and 56. Reservoir 52 has a substantially V-shaped bottom portion 62 provided with a longitudinally extending slot 64 arranged at the bottom of the V.

OPERATION The paint carrying tank or reservoir 52 is arranged on frame 12 as by reception of pins 54 and 56 in associated notches 58 and 60. Paint may be poured into reservoir 52 through the window formed by hatch 92. Roll 80 should be arranged abutting the bottom portion of reservoir 52 to block slot 64 and prevent the paint from running out of reservoir 52. Once reservoir 52 has been filled with paint, and the like, screws 70 may be turned, for example, to the right to draw bracket 68 toward top 90 of reservoir 52 and withdraw roll 80 from slot 64.

" Once slot 64 is opened, paint P is permitted to run A shutter 66 is arranged adjacent slot 64 for controlling passage of paint P from reservoir 52 to carrying roller 14. This shutter 66 includes a U-shaped bracket 68 adjustably mounted to reservoir 52 as by a screw 70 arranged extending through an opening 52 to threadingly engage the internal screw threads provided in a socket 74 projecting from a back portion of bracket 68 in a direction opposite to the direction of extension of legs 76 and 78 extending from end portions of the bracket back portion. A roll 80 is mounted on legs 76, 78 at the free ends thereof, and this roll is arranged adjacent slot 64 for selectively opening and closing same. Substantially U-shaped projections 82 and 84 are provided on the inner surface of the end portions of reservoir 52 for forming grooves in a manner similar to projections 22, 24. Pins 86 and 88 are provided on legs 76, 78 for cooperatively and guidingly engaging the grooves formed by projections 82 and 84 and guiding roll 80 along a linear path substantially parallel to that provided for carrying roll 14. As can be readily appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings and from the above description, adjustment of the, for example, thumbscrew 70 will raise the lower bracket 68 and accordingly roll 80 to provide a desired opening or closing of slot 64.

Reservoir 52 has a hinged top 90 which may snap in closed position by any suitable snap-closing technique, and a hatch 92 permitting ease in replenishing the supply of paint P in reservoir 52. Top 90 is advantageously employed when, for example, cleaning the reservoir.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, rollers 16 and 17 are retained on the arms of cranks 30, 32 as i therethrough and onto carrying roller 14. Roller 14 then transmits paint P onto one or the other of the printing rollers 16 and 17, and the latter puts the decor onto a surface to be provided with a design. As mentioned above, reservoir 52 is mounted on frame 12 as by pins 54, 56 which may be screws which hold reservoir 52 tightly ingenerally affixed relationship with respect to frame 12 while permitting cranks 30 and 32 to pivot. Printer 10 may be manipulated by handle 44 so as to place either roller 16 or roller. 17 against a surface (not shown) to be painted. Handle 44 is able to swing from the right as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 all the way to the left depending on which roller 16, 17 is being used. Abutments 48 and 50 are provided on both sides, or end walls 18, 20, of frame 12 to function as stops so that the handle fork 46 cannot come in contact with the arms of cranks 30, 32. Guide rollers 36 and 38 are fastened to shield 34 in the middle of the lower part of both sides of frame 12 to prevent contact of frame 12 with a surface being painted. Shield 34 catches possible drippings of paint from roller 14 and prevents them from falling to the, for example, floor (not shown). By arranging roller 16 against a surface to be painted and pulling it downwardly, while pressing moderately at the same time, roller 17 breaks contact with roller 14 and no paint is supplied to roller 17 while same is not in use.

A similar mode is obtained when handle 44 is swung to the other side of frame 12 and roller 17 is pressed against a surface to be painted. If desired, one or the other of the printing rollers l6, 17 may be removed, and rollers of different designs may be interchanged with rollers on printer 10.

As can be readily understood from the above description and from the drawings, a roller printer according to the present invention affords great convenience and ease of use, together with a rugged structure requiring little maintenance.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows: 1. A roller printer, comprising, in combination: a. a frame; b. a carrying roller having a paint conveying surface and rotatably mounted on the frame;

c. a printing roller rotatably mounted on the frame and arranged for engaging the carrying roller; and

d. supply means for providing paint to the carrying roller, the supply means including:

i. a paint reservoir mounted on the frame and having a bottom portion provided with a slot disposed immediately adjacent the surface of the carrying roll; and shutter means arranged adjacent the slot for controlling passage of paint from the reservoir to the carrying roller, the shutter means including a U- shaped bracket having a pair of spaced legs connected together by a back portion adjustably attached to the reservoir, and a roll mounted on the legs and arranged adjacent the slot, the reservoir bottom portion being V-shaped with the slot being provided in the bottom of the V, and the roll being movable into and out of the slot by adjustment of the back portion of the bracket with respect to the reservoir and forming a means for providing a desired opening or closing of the slot, the slot being opened for permitting fluid to run therethrough and onto the carrying roller.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, further including two arms each having a pair of ends, one of the ends of the arms being pivotally mounted on the frame, and wherein the printing roller is rotatably mounted on the other of the ends of the arms.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein a guide roller is mounted on the frame, the guide roller being associated with the printing roller for guiding and stabilizing the printing roller.

4. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein a pair of printing rollers are rotatably mounted on the frame, each of the rollers arranged for selectively engaging the carrying roller, and a pair of spaced, parallel cranks are pivotally mounted on the frame, the cranks having diverging lever arms terminating in outer ends, the printing rollers being rotatably mounted on the outer ends of the lever arms.

5. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein one roller of the pair of printing rollers has a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the other roller of the pair of rollers.

6. A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein a pair of guide rollers are mounted on the frame, one of the guide rollers associated with a respective one of the printing rollers, and the other of the guide rollers associated with the other of the printing rollers, each of the guide rollers arranged for guiding and stabilizing the associated printing roller.

7. A structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the frame includes a pair of spaced, parallel end walls, the cranks being pivotally mounted on the end walls, each of the end walls provided on a surface thereof arranged facing the other of the end walls with a substantially U- shaped projection opening toward the reservoir and forming a groove, and wherein the carrying roller includes a shaft partially supported by the groove.

8. A structure as defined in claim 7, further including a handle comprising a holding fork pivotally mounted on the frame end walls, and stop means provided on the end walls for limiting movement of the holding fork.

9. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the frame includes a pair of spaced, parallel end walls, each of the end walls provided on a surface thereof arranged facing the other of the end walls with a substantially U- shaped projection opening toward the reservoir and forming a groove, and wherein the carrying roller in- 5 cludes a shaft partially supported by the groove.

10. A structure as defined in claim 9, further including a handle comprising a holding fork pivotally mounted on the frame end walls, and stop means provided on the end walls for limiting movement of the holding fork.

11. A roller printer, comprising, in combination:

a. a frame;

b. a carrying roller rotatably mounted on the frame;

0. a printing roller rotatably mounted on the frame and arranged for engaging the carrying roller;

d. supply means for providing a fluid to the carrying roller, the supply means including:

i. a paint reservoir mounted on the frame and having a bottom portion provided with a slot; and

ii. shutter means arranged adjacent the slot for controlling passage of paint from the reservoir to the carrying roller, the shutter means including a U- shaped bracket having a pair of spaced legs connected together by a back portion adjustably attached to the reservoir, and a roll mounted on the legs and arranged adjacent the slot, the reservoir bottom portion being V-shaped with the slot being provided in the bottom of the V, and the roll being movable into and out of the slot by adjustment of the back portion of the bracket with respect to the reservoir;

e. an arm having a pair of ends, one of the ends of the arm pivotally mounted on the frame, and wherein the printing roller is rotatably mounted on the other of the ends of the arm, a pair of printing rollers being rotatably mounted on the frame, each of the rollers arranged for selectively engaging the carrying roller, one roller of the pair of printing rollers having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the other roller of the pair of rollers;

f. a pair of guide rollers mounted on the frame, one of the guide rollers associated with a respective one of the printing rollers, and the other of the guide rollers associated with the other of the printing rollers, each of the guide rollers arranged for guiding and stabilizing the associated printing roller, the frame including a pair of spaced, parallel end walls, each of the end walls provided on a surface thereof arranged facing the other of the end walls with a substantially U-shaped projection opening toward the reservoir and forming a groove, and wherein the carrying roller includes a shaft partially supported by the groove; and

g. a handle comprising a holding fork pivotally mounted on the frame end walls, and stop means provided on the end walls for limiting movement of the holding fork.

12. A structure as defined in claim 9, wherein a pair 60 of spaced, parallel cranks are pivotally mounted on the end walls of the frame, the cranks having diverging lever arms, including the said arm, terminating in outer ends, and the printing rollers being rotatably mounted on the outer ends of the lever arms. 

1. A roller printer, comprising, in combination: a. a frame; b. a carrying roller having a paint conveying surface and rotatably mounted on the frame; c. a printing roller rotatably mounted on the frame and arranged for engaging the carrying roller; and d. supply means for providing paint to the carrying roller, the supply means including: i. a paint reservoir mounted on the frame and having a bottom portion provided with a slot disposed immediately adjacent the surface of the carrying roll; and ii. shutter means arranged adjacent the slot for controlling passage of paint from the reservoir to the carrying roller, the shutter means including a U-shaped bracket having a pair of spaced legs connected together by a back portion adjustably attached to the reservoir, and a roll mounted on the legs and arranged adjacent the slot, the reservoir bottom portion being V-shaped with the slot being provided in the bottom of the V, and the roll being movable into and out of the slot by adjustment of the back portion of the bracket with respect to the reservoir and forming a means for providing a desired opening or closing of the slot, the slot being opened for permitting fluid to run therethrough and onto the carrying roller.
 2. A structure as defined in claim 1, further incluDing two arms each having a pair of ends, one of the ends of the arms being pivotally mounted on the frame, and wherein the printing roller is rotatably mounted on the other of the ends of the arms.
 3. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein a guide roller is mounted on the frame, the guide roller being associated with the printing roller for guiding and stabilizing the printing roller.
 4. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein a pair of printing rollers are rotatably mounted on the frame, each of the rollers arranged for selectively engaging the carrying roller, and a pair of spaced, parallel cranks are pivotally mounted on the frame, the cranks having diverging lever arms terminating in outer ends, the printing rollers being rotatably mounted on the outer ends of the lever arms.
 5. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein one roller of the pair of printing rollers has a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the other roller of the pair of rollers.
 6. A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein a pair of guide rollers are mounted on the frame, one of the guide rollers associated with a respective one of the printing rollers, and the other of the guide rollers associated with the other of the printing rollers, each of the guide rollers arranged for guiding and stabilizing the associated printing roller.
 7. A structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the frame includes a pair of spaced, parallel end walls, the cranks being pivotally mounted on the end walls, each of the end walls provided on a surface thereof arranged facing the other of the end walls with a substantially U-shaped projection opening toward the reservoir and forming a groove, and wherein the carrying roller includes a shaft partially supported by the groove.
 8. A structure as defined in claim 7, further including a handle comprising a holding fork pivotally mounted on the frame end walls, and stop means provided on the end walls for limiting movement of the holding fork.
 9. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the frame includes a pair of spaced, parallel end walls, each of the end walls provided on a surface thereof arranged facing the other of the end walls with a substantially U-shaped projection opening toward the reservoir and forming a groove, and wherein the carrying roller includes a shaft partially supported by the groove.
 10. A structure as defined in claim 9, further including a handle comprising a holding fork pivotally mounted on the frame end walls, and stop means provided on the end walls for limiting movement of the holding fork.
 11. A roller printer, comprising, in combination: a. a frame; b. a carrying roller rotatably mounted on the frame; c. a printing roller rotatably mounted on the frame and arranged for engaging the carrying roller; d. supply means for providing a fluid to the carrying roller, the supply means including: i. a paint reservoir mounted on the frame and having a bottom portion provided with a slot; and ii. shutter means arranged adjacent the slot for controlling passage of paint from the reservoir to the carrying roller, the shutter means including a U-shaped bracket having a pair of spaced legs connected together by a back portion adjustably attached to the reservoir, and a roll mounted on the legs and arranged adjacent the slot, the reservoir bottom portion being V-shaped with the slot being provided in the bottom of the V, and the roll being movable into and out of the slot by adjustment of the back portion of the bracket with respect to the reservoir; e. an arm having a pair of ends, one of the ends of the arm pivotally mounted on the frame, and wherein the printing roller is rotatably mounted on the other of the ends of the arm, a pair of printing rollers being rotatably mounted on the frame, each of the rollers arranged for selectively engaging the carrying roller, one roller of the pair of printing rollers having a diameter which is smaLler than a diameter of the other roller of the pair of rollers; f. a pair of guide rollers mounted on the frame, one of the guide rollers associated with a respective one of the printing rollers, and the other of the guide rollers associated with the other of the printing rollers, each of the guide rollers arranged for guiding and stabilizing the associated printing roller, the frame including a pair of spaced, parallel end walls, each of the end walls provided on a surface thereof arranged facing the other of the end walls with a substantially U-shaped projection opening toward the reservoir and forming a groove, and wherein the carrying roller includes a shaft partially supported by the groove; and g. a handle comprising a holding fork pivotally mounted on the frame end walls, and stop means provided on the end walls for limiting movement of the holding fork.
 12. A structure as defined in claim 9, wherein a pair of spaced, parallel cranks are pivotally mounted on the end walls of the frame, the cranks having diverging lever arms, including the said arm, terminating in outer ends, and the printing rollers being rotatably mounted on the outer ends of the lever arms. 